DANNY AIELLO - O'DONNELL GETS SERIOUS FOR BROADWAY SHOW

Comedienne ROSIE O'DONNELL is set to star in a serious Broadway play with DANNY AIELLO.

ALEX DINELARIS's play FOLDING THE MONSTER hits the New York stage this autumn (05) and the usually comic O'Donnell is relishing the chance to take a straight-edged role in the production.

She tells PAGESIX.COM, "I'll be the overweight daughter, and (Aiello's) my dad, and we both gamble.

"It's about the dad's not-so-good marriage to the mother, who has died, and now he feels he's at the end of his life as well."

O'Donnell is keen to carry on acting for many years to come - and as she refuses to have plastic surgery she jokes that she will soon be the only actress who looks normal.

She says, "I like acting. I'm 43 years old. I'm not having any surgery and I'll actually look my age - everyone in Hollywood looks like an alien - but I will look like a real woman!"

The busy performer is also appearing as ANDIE MacDOWELL's autistic sister in upcoming movie RIDING THE BUS WITH MY SISTER.

O'Donnell adds, "I totally related to the sisters who are diametrically opposite. But a universal love binds them.

"When I read the character I felt I could draw on tragedy in my own life. I hope I pulled it off."